Economy, Agriculture

Nile Delta, GDP, industrialization, cereals, rice

In 2000 the agricultural sector (including fishing) contributed 17 percent of the GDP. Before industrialization, agriculture provided most of Egypt's exports, but by 1999 it contributed only 8 percent of the exports. The most important crops include cotton, cereals, fruits and vegetables, and animal fodder. Egypt’s area of cultivable land is small but highly fertile. It is located for the most part along the Nile and in the Nile Delta. Yields are high, and almost every piece of land grows at least two crops a year. The country ceased to be self-sufficient in cereals at the beginning of the 20th century, although it still exports some poultry, fruits, vegetables, sugar, and rice. It now imports about a quarter of the cereals it needs and a much higher proportion of the meat and dairy products.